The body of a teenage girl was found on a path near Rotherham this morning.

Police investigating the tragic discovery in Dinnington say they are treating the death of the 16-year-old, named online as Leonne Weeks, as suspicious due to "concerns around the state of the body and the injuries."

The girl had been reported missing 20 minutes before she was found by shocked walkers at around 10.55am, according to police.

South Yorkshire Police placed a cordon around the area after the girl's body was spotted on a pathway in the residential area of Lordens Hill.

Leonne Weeks was found dead in Rotherham this morning

Temporary Superintendent Sarah Poolman told a news conference this evening that the girl had been reported missing 20 minutes before she was found.

She said police were treating the death as suspicious due to "concerns around the state of the body and the injuries."

Leonne Weeks was reported missing 20 minutes before her body was found

In an earlier statement Temp Superintendent Poolman said: “The investigation is in its very early stages however we are treating the death as suspicious.

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“To provide reassurance to the local community and wider general public, additional police patrols are in place and will continue over the coming days.

“I would urge anyone who believes they have information about the incident to please come forward.”

Police said the the body is yet to be formally identified.

Well-wishers have left flowers at the scene (Image: Guzelian Ltd)

Leonne Weeks was found dead on a path in Dinnington (Image: Guzelian Ltd)

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron tweeted shortly after the news broke: "I am incredibly sad to hear about the discovery of a teenage girl’s body in Dinnington near my constituency office this morning.

"I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of this young girl.

"We must now allow the police time to investigate."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident number 256 of 16 January 2017.